life sentence

noun

plural life sentences

: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convicted person's life when there is no possibility of parole or for a minimum number of years under applicable law until the convicted person becomes eligible for and is granted parole

Examples of life sentence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kohberger, who was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years, claims in a handwritten affidavit that he was coerced into a false confession and misled by his original defense team. — Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026

Rafael Jones has served more than a decade of a life sentence for the death of Moses Walker, who police say was shot and killed while off duty during a botched robbery. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

The searing new memoir, ‘The Wound Is Where the Light Enters,’ details Young’s journey from a mandatory life sentence to freedom through self-education and an extraordinary legal fight. — Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole after accepting a plea agreement that spared him from the death penalty. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for life sentence

• presentence
• repentance

Legal Definition

life sentence

see also:

sentence